The return of that smug prick Thierry Henry might be just what the doctor ordered to make
Sunday's game more like the fiery encounters we used to enjoy. Whilst the Arsenal official site
claims this match will be "epic" and one of the biggest games on the clubs' calendar, I can't help
but think they're living in the past.
By Chris Wright
Fulham were dumped out of the Europa League with the very last touch of the game when Odense
slung in a deep cross and substitute Baye Djiby Fall nodded in an equaliser at the far post with
roughly four seconds left to play (the referee blew for full-time during the goal celebration),
thus robbing the Cottagers of the points they needed to edge out Wisla Krakow, who beat
table-toppers FC Twente on the night to finish second in Group K -just one point ahead of Martin
Jol's side.
Crushing events as Fulham were 9 seconds away from advancing to the Europa League group stages
when Djiby Fall stepped up to score with the last kick of the game. The goal tied the game and
allowed Wisla Krakow to advance at the expense of Fulham.
It was a cruel blow for a Fulham side that started preseason training in June, so that they
could enter this tournament in the very first round.
If you fancy an unorthodox spring vacation this year and feel like eschewing the beaches for a
trip to Chechnya, this is the scene which will greet you at the airport: a giant billboard of Ruud
Gullit, known these days for mediocre coaching and head firmly planted in his own ass.
Fernando Torres has posted his worst stats this season since he joined the Premier League nearly
four years ago. However, in the history of the Premier League, no player has scored more
frequently than Torres and he has proven Champions League knockout stage pedigree.
If his poor recent form is down to him being low on motivation and considering that he's nearly
back to full fitness this season, his move to Chelsea should be just the spark he needs to start
scoring buckets of goals again, with Chelsea v Liverpool at Stamford Bridge is first
assignment.
Maradona & Valderrama do 5 v 5.
- Ruud goes to Chechnya. (Guardian)
- European-based Asian Cup players. (The Best Eleven)
- Things to do in Russia in January. (Never Mind the Bolsheviks)
- So long, Hell. (BBC)
- BBC presenter has slight faux pas. (Off The Post)
- La Furia Roja as The Simpsons.
One of the cliches you hear a lot is that great players don't make great coaches. The names "Diego
Maradona" and "Ruud Gullit" probably come storming to mind, along with several others.
There's a lot of truth to the stereotype. Doing and teaching, as the joke goes, are very different
things.
